Who is Luana Alonso and why was she removed from the Olympic Village?

Paraguayan swimmer Luana Alonso´s swimming career has come to an end after she announced her retirement following an underwhelming show in the 100 meter butterfly. In the days following her disappointment in the pool, she has been kicked out of the Olympic Village by the COP (Paraguayan Olympic Committee).

Alonso told to leave

The COP stated ¨her presence was creating an inappropriate enviorment¨ for the rest of her Paraguayan teammates. ¨We ask, in an immediate fashion, for your withdrawal from the Athlete´s Village (…) Your presence is creating an inappropriate environment within Team Paraguay. We thank you for proceeding as instructed, since it was of your own free will that you did not spend the night in the Athlete´s Village,¨ stated Larissa Schaerer, mission head of the COP in an official email sent to the athlete.

Those were Alonso´s tearful words she told reporters following a sixth place finish in Heat 1 of the 100 meter breast stroke in Paris.

The 20 year olds decision didn’t sit well with the Paraguayan Olypmic Committee. Camilo Perez, president of the COP, commented on her statements that she would potentially represent the United States. ¨I read that she wants to compete for the United States. There is no universality there. She came here (Paris) as a Paraguayan. She has to train a lot more because to represent USA, her times have to be much better.¨

A few days later the COP confirmed she broke rules laid out by the organization. ¨Leaving the Village is not normal,¨ said Perez. He classified the episode as “a major act of indiscipline.” The swimmer is said to have left the Village to go to Disneyland and post pictures on her social media, where she is followed by fans around the world.